2017 Lionfish Challenge

Action: Revamped program has commercial and recreational categories

Information: Remove 25 or more lionfish (or sell at least 25 pounds commercially) between Lionfish Removal and Awareness Day (May 20, 2017) and Labor Day (Sept. 4, 2017) to enter the FWC’s Lionfish Challenge and be eligible to win prizes. The recreational and commercial harvesters who check in the most lionfish will be crowned Florida’s recreational Lionfish King or Queen and Commercial Champion, respectively.

Snook - Atlantic

Action: Season closes June 1 in state and federal waters

Information: The recreational snook season in Atlantic state and federal waters closes June 1, reopening to harvest Sept. 1. This includes all waters of Lake Okeechobee and the Kissimmee River. Gulf state and federal waters also closed. All Gulf and Atlantic state and federal waters will reopen Sept. 1.

Gag Grouper - Gulf

Information: The recreational gag grouper season starts June 1 in most state and all federal Gulf of Mexico waters. This season will remain open through Dec. 31, closing Jan. 1, 2018.

Monroe County follows Atlantic regulations and is open from May 1-Dec. 31.

State waters off Franklin, Wakulla, Taylor and Jefferson counties are open April 1-June 30. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will discuss adding a fall open season for the four-county area at the July Commission meeting in Orlando. Learn more or comment on these changes at MyFWC.com/SaltwaterComments. For your comments to be considered at the July 10-11Commission meeting, please submit input no later than May 31.

Bay Scallops

Action: Recreational season Fenholloway River to Suwannee River opens

Information: The recreational season for bay scallops opens in state waters from the Fenholloway River to the Suwannee River starting June 16. This season will remain open through Sept. 10 and includes a portion of Taylor County and all of Dixie County.

Gulf Reef Fish Survey

Attention Gulf AnglersInformation: Snapper and grouper season is here. That means it is time to sign up for or renew your participation in the Gulf Reef Fish Survey. Registration for this survey is required for all anglers (including those exempt from licensing requirements) fishing from a private vessel for the following reef species in the Gulf: red and vermilion snapper; gag, red, and black grouper; greater and lesser amberjack; banded rudderfish; almaco jack; and gray triggerfish.

If you are NOT a Gulf reef fish angler and don’t plan on fishing for these reef species in the Gulf this year, please do not sign up or renew your participation in the Gulf Reef Fish Survey. By only sampling anglers who plan on fishing for those species, Florida is improving recreational data collection. Questions? Contact us at Marine@MyFWC.com.

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Saltwater Social Media

Our newest Life-Lister!Katlyn is a proud new member of the Saltwater Fish Life List 10-Fish Club. She has caught 10 out of 71 species included on the list. We're still waiting for the very FIRST 30-Fish Club member; are you working on your Life List?